12. Publication & dissemination

Throughout all the different modules of the _Introduction to Standards and Guidance in Archaeological Practice_, the importance of publication and dissemination is emphasised greatly. This is because without disseminating your research, it is impossible for others, whether attached to local groups, archaeological contractors, university departments, or even town planning offices, to know what work (i.e. **yours!**), has been carried out already and what the findings of that work were. Just as a desktop survey or other research into archaeological and historical contexts will have been essential to your own project design and methodology, so your own research could prove extremely significant to future researchers, but only if they are aware of it.

There are various options for publishing and disseminating your research. Don’t hesitate to contact the CBA, your local authority archaeologist or equivalent, or the Institute for Archaeologists if you are unsure or would like advice as to how or where to publish.

Think about the suitability of your chosen publication outlets. Some online publishing sites may not be in a position to act as ‘archives’ in the sense of providing a long term, sustainable repository for your report or data in perpetuity, and so you will need to check them out beforehand.
Below are listed a number of potential options, although you may come across further options locally.

* The best way to submit a report of your work if you are in in England, Scotland or Wales is online, via the [OASIS system](http://www.oasis.ac.uk). In Scotland, a site summary should be prepared for _Discovery and Excavation in Scotland_ (DES), which is published by Archaeology Scotland. If you have submitted your report through OASIS, DES will be notified automatically. By using the OASIS system you will also be given the opportunity to have your report included in the ADS ‘grey literature library’ of unpublished fieldwork reports, which will be available online.

* In Northern Ireland send your report to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency: Built Heritage Directorate. For the Bailiwick of Guernsey, including Alderney and Sark, reports should be submitted to the HER at Guernsey Museum.

* In addition consider local county or national societies, period and specialist journals, independent publishers and local museums as outlets for disseminating your information. Information about most of these options should be available online, but for specific queries regarding options local to you, please contact the CBA outlining what your research is (including period), and in which area or region the work was carried out.

* Another option for publicising your work is to consider organising an event. Such events could include giving talks, organising a conference or seminar, a guided walk, provision of hands-on activities, or an open day at your site or collections centre. Many groups take part in the UK-wide Festival of British Archaeology, an annual fortnight of events organised by participants including local groups, museums, university departments and heritage trusts. [Festival of British Archeology](http://www.archaeologyfestival.org.uk) provides free publicity for all Festival events via the Festival website and a leaflet that goes to all CBA members and _British Archaeology_ magazine subscribers. For projects in Scotland, there is also [Scottish Archaeology Month](http://www.scottisharchaeology.org.uk/?q=node/33), which is another opportunity to participate in a Scotland-wide celebration of archaeological events and projects.
Other events that don’t fall during the Festival period, can be publicised via the [CBA’s Briefing service](http://www.britarch.ac.uk/briefing) and also in _British Archaeology_. To notify Briefing of any forthcoming events, contact briefing@britarch.ac.uk.